Nelle Handbags at Lily

Nelle Flutter Clutch in Silk Charmeuse. Love at first sight.

Nelle's chic, impeccably crafted, couture inspired confections arrived in the shop today. 

Inspired by cake design & 

construction, Designer Laura Nelli's feminine creations are layered in ribbon and lined with black and white cotton ticking for an unexpected but perfectly preppy touch. 

 Nelle Petersham Ribbon Clutch. 

Layers and layers of pleated ribbon. But not too sweet for cocktails at The Cocktail Club

 Nelle Midnight Cherub Clutch in silk charmeuse and hand dyed French Roast ribbon. Silk stocking worthy.

Lily Loves

Anna Buckley by Alfred Cheney Johnston

Alfred Cheney Johnston

In the early 1900's Johnston's photographs of the Ziegfeld Follies Showgirls girls created a sensation in the issues of Vanity Fair. His glamourous portraits made him the photographer of choice for Movie Stars and Society Women.

Most of his scantily clad portraits are fabulous illustrations of the importance of a few well placed accessories, including what seems to be a Johnston favorite, the Piano Shawl. A piano in your parlor was the height of sophistication in the Victorian era. The heavily embroidered silk shawls were often edged in long fringe to help the the shawl drape over the piano. 

Peggy Shannon by Alfred Cheney Johnston

My guess is, those shawls never went back on their pianos. Johnston also did a series of nudes which were considered too daring for their time and kept under wraps till his death in 1971. A little googling and you might find one suitable for your bath or Boudoir. Antique Piano Shawls can still be found, although the real beauties go fast, snapped up by Boho Fashionistas, Brides, and Decorators. Try Etsy or Ebay.